Golf practice ball



Patented F eb. 9, 1926..

WILLIAM J. GOLDSW'ORTI-IY, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

GOLF RACTICE BALL.

Application filed December 27, 1923. Serial No. 682,874.

1'0 all Izoll-om it may concern.'

lle it known that l. Trimmer J. Gonesn'onrrir, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of San Francisco, State ot California, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Golf Practice. Balls, olwhich the following is a specification. i

rlhs present invention relates generally to improvements in golf practicingl and raining devices wherewith a player may, while away from the golf course, practice and train in parts of the gaine and, from such practice and training, acquire greater proliciency inv playing of `an actual game ot" rolt upon the go-lt' course.

The invention relates particularly to a `.crolli practice. ball where the face off the club` used in hitting` the ball. is provided with a puncturinp; pin and may be so claimediuch puncturing pins for rolt clubs: Vhave already been proposed and described rei"- erence being also made to a -form describec in my co-pending application Serial Number 679331.; l

T n a practice ,frame of golf it is always most advantageous and desirable that the practicing be done with an actual golf ball, or with substitute for a `Vgolfliiall, simula-tingr closely in shape, size and appearance an actual rolt ball so that the eye, both in the practice or in the actual gaine. will have, to all appearances, the` same object before it.

Further desirable advantages, in a golf practice game, are to have such a ball register the accuracy with which the practice blows are made `and also to be quickly recoverable atter the blow has been made in order Ithat the ball may be put aga-in into play.

An object of the invention, where a puncturing` pin is carried on the face o'l" the. club hitting' the ball, is to provide a ball indieating the accuracy of the blows.

Another object of the invention, where a barbed puncturing pin is carried on the tace ot the club hitting` the ball, is to provide a. ball retrievable by the club during a part oi' the blow.v v

ln attaining, the objects named, other advantages pertaining' to a golf practice ball, will appear as the nature ot lthe invention is better understood.

standing oi' the invention In the Figure 5 a side view is had of apuncturing; pin 12 provided with a pivoted` barb 13 and a cross section view is had of a club hea-d 14..

the head 15 of the pruicturing `pin 12and a sheet member 16 overlapping` and securing the pin head 15 to the striking face ofthe club 14.

In carrying the invention into eli'ect a ball 5 of aspherical outline is provided whose exterior surface simulates in size and appearance kan actual golf ball. The ball 5 may be made from any suitable material tending to lend it a desirable lightness of weight. rlfhe ball 5 may be constructed solidly throughout of lightweight material such as unspun cotton, sponge rubber, etc., or the ball 5 may be of a hollow construction centrally. Rubber, celluloid, etc.,`will` lend themselves to such a hollow construction, the desired lightness of the ball being` always kept in view. l

A sheet member 6 of uniform thickness,

hereinafter called the blow receiving part 6, shown herein of circular outline, is provided. The blow receiving part 6 may be made from any suitable easily perforable sheet material such as paper or the like. The blow receiving part 6 is intended to contact with and extend over a portion of the surface of the ball 5, and be secured to the surface of the ball 5.

The blow receiving part 6, when secured upon the ball 5is proposed to serve as a puncture receiver and indicator against which the tace of the club hitting' the ball will impact and by which the ball will be protectedifroni damage by the club and the puncturing; pin carried thereon and before referred to.

The simplest shape into which the blow receiving part (i could be formed would be a flat shape, that is extended in :a horizontal planeI` and in that shape could be applied to the. surface o-f the ball 5 and be forced against the surface and made to assume thespherical shape of thesurface against which it contacts. The edges of the circular 'shaped blow receiving part l5 would, in that case, be caused to crease or overflow forming wrinkles orridges at and on the circular redge of the blow receiving part 6 destroyalternate shape for the blow receivinc part 6 is proposed in the shaping, in advance and before its applic-ation on thevball 5, of `the blow receiving part 6 into a substantial segment of a hollow sphere, where the plane, cutting the spherc vpasses through the hollow of the sphere. Or in kother words, the blow receiving part 6 proposed to consist of a sheet of substantially uniform thickness so shaped that one'face. intended foi-'the exterior or-exposed face,v'ill be ,convex 4or vaulted and the opposite face, intended for the interior or contacting face, will be yconcave orfincurred with its `lines paralleling the exterior face. lSuch a shape7 briefly and broadly described, could be called a saucer shape construction. The precurving or the preshapingof the blow receiving part G may be obtained yby pressure. The blow receiiig part 6 is intended .to be of such weightand teiiture that the desired saucer shape could be made bypressure and the saucer shape retained by 'the blow receiving part f3 ,after the pressure has been removed. 'he concaved or incurvedcontacting face .of the saucer shaped blow receiving partv G will be shaped vto follow .the lines of, and to lit snugly to7 the surface of the ball ,5 4and it follows that :the convex.exterior-exposed face of the saucer shaped blow receiving part 6 wil-lcfollow lines parallel to but; outside the surface of the ball ythereby ojb-4 taining7 when the saucer gshaped blow re.

vceiving ,part G is secured fto the ball 5, aV

smoothness not obtained when the blow receiving part G isv formed in the flat shape.

v@ne Ameans for securing the blow receiving Vvpart 6 to the ball 5, and .though set forth it isintended to be illustrative and not limiting, is `by the use of an adhesive first applied to the contacting face, or parts of the contacting face, of the blow receiving part i6 andthen vthe blo-w receiving" part G brought into contact with the surface of the ball 5 and securedto the surface `ofthe ball ,5 by the adhesive. "rlhe adhesive may be applied to the contacting face of the blow .receiving part r(iA in the moistened state and then the part at once pressed on the surface of the ball 5 and the adhesive allowed to sufficienta regular circular outline.

ly dry under the pressure to retain the blow receiving part 6 on the ball 5, o-r the adhesive may be applied to the contacting face .of the blow receiving part 6 in the moisteried state and then dried thereon and at a later time again moistened and at that time the part pressed on the ball 5 and the adhesive a1- lowed to dry sufficiently under the pressure to retain the blow receiving part 6 on the ball 5. t

It is intended that the blow receiving part (3 may be removed from the ball 5 when beyond further use and be replaced by a fresh unused blow receiving' part .(5. VAn easy way for removing the blow receiving part 6 from the ball 5 would be by soaking in water until the adhesive yields .and allows the blow receiving part G t'o be removed from the ball 5.

On the opposite exterior exposed face of the blow receiving part 6, hereinafter called the exposed face of the blow receiving part G, a target like figure 7 is provided vlocated centrally of the blow receiving part G. The target likeligure is made to possess a regularity .of outline, shown in this case of d Associated with the outline ofthe target like figure 7 is a provided break of outline. c V

The associated break in lthe regular 4outline of the target like figure 7 may consist offanindentation in such outline or a pro jection from such outline, in either case, suiiicientto make a point on the regular outline of the target like figure 7 appreciable to the eye and whereby the blow receiving part G may be positioned. The preferred forni of such -a break in the regular outline of the target like figure 7 is shown by the projection 8 in association therewith and extending therefrom. The associated iigure 8 may be formedfcontacting.with the loutline of the tar-get like ligure 7 .Or at a distance therefrom and the purpose of the association `,of the two figures 7 and '8, as above stated, maintained. In whatever way the two figures 7 and 8 maybe associatedj the further purpose will be secured Lof having providedvon the exposed face of the blow receiving part 6 .two essential points, namely the figures and 8, wherefroln any subsequent marks made `on `the blow receiving .part 6, to wit, marks made bythe puncturfing Apin carried by. the club hitting the blow re' ceiving part 6, may .be computed. `The described figures 7 and 8 may consist of the impressed .inked ,figures yof the `printing art or vmay consist of depressions .or expressions formed in any manner in` or on the exposed face of the blow receiving part 6 with suflicient distinctness to be readily vdiscernible to the eye.

The thicknessof theblow receiving part will enter into and be a factor in the `in its n'ientioned regularity lll construction of the ball 5. For the blow. receiving part 6 may be provided of a thickness such that the puncturing pin, carried on the face ofthe club hitting the exposed face of the blow receiving part6, if ofa length less than the thicknessrof the` blow receiving part 6, will bury its lengthin the blow receiving part 6 without penetrating the ball 5. lVhen, however, a puncturing pin, carried on the face of the club hitting the blow receiving part 6, is of a length greater than the thickness of the blow receiving part 6, it is plain that the pointof the puncturing pin will penetrate entirely through and beyond the blow receiving part 6 and enter the surface of thel ball 5. There the ball' 5 is of either solid or hollow .construction internally, the continued entering of the puncturing pin into the surface of the ball 5, as the successive worn blow receiving parts 6 are removed and replaced by fresh blow receiving parts 6, will `tend to deface and eventually ruin for use the ball 5. To obviate this and also to provide a `space interiorly of the ball for Aparts of the puncturing pin tofunction, `where the ball 5 is of solid constructioninteriorly, a section of the surface and `interior body of the ball 5 is hollowed out forming a depression 9 extending interiorlyand towards the center ofthe ball 5. The hollowed out section 9.of the ball-fagain may be extended to include or go beyond the center of the ball 5 and, in the last case, a virtually hollow ball 5 be formed with an opening in the wall thereof affording free andi uninterrupted passage from the space exteriorly of the ball 5 into the. interior `hollow 9 of the ball 5. Or the ball 5 may first be formed with an interior hollow 9, of a greater or lesser extent as desired, and then a portion of the encompassing wall of the ball 5 removed, forming a free and open communication between the interior hollow 9 of the ball 5 and the free space surrounding the surface of the ball 5.

The variations in the shape of the interiorly extending depression or hollow 9 of the ball 5 would follow the choice of mater-Vial from which the ball 5 is constructed. j Across the said opening in and through the surface of the ball 5, affording a free communication between the interiorly extending depression or hollow 9 and the free space surrounding the ball 5, the already described blow receiving part 6 ismade to bridge and overlap t-he opening and be secured, by the adhesive method before described or otherwise., to the surface of the ball 5 by those parts of its contacting face overlapping on to the surface of the ball 5 beyond the rim of the opening.y y

The device with its parts constructedand assembled as described, andused in practice where the clubusedcarries on its face. a

puncturing pin, .will be placed upon the ground played upon, and the face of the club with attached uncturing in advancedr e lO ciated ligure 8 relative to the ground played upon will be noted by theplayer. .lt is evident that, in the blow succeeding t-he described address, the 'accuracy of the blow will be indicated on the blow receiving part 6 by the puncture made therein by the puncturing pin, that is if the blow has been made fairly and in the center. Or if delivered ofl1 center,.whether the device has been topped, sclafled, heeled or toed, the reading being made from the positionof thepiincture, just madefin theblow receiver 6, relative to the `associated figures 7 and 8 and their posit-ions before the blow was delivered. barb arrangement 18, preferably pivoted near the point of the pin l2 as shown in the F igure and more fully described in my copending application before mentioned, `when carried entirely through and beyond the blow receiving part 6 into ythe interior depression or hollow 9 of the ball 5 by the p uncturing pin l2, will act to keep the. device from flying away from the club and the club itself will retrieve the device atthe linish of the blow. After such retrieving of the device, the puncturing vpin and barb` may be withdrawn through the lblow receiving part or the blow receiving part 6 may be torn from the ball 5 and replace by a fresh unused blow receiving part 6.

In fashioning the foregoing described constructionof the hollow ball 5, provided with an yopening through the wall there-of affording a free passage' through the surface of the hollow ball 5 .into its interior hollow 9, it has been found, where the material out of which the wall of such a hollow ball 5 is made possesses a resilient quality,A thatthe blow r ceiving part 6 may besecured tothe hollow ball 5 without the aid of an adhesive. lfor7 where the wall "of the l'rollow ball 5 collapses or4 gives in under pressure and returns to its normal shape when the pressure is removed, it is evident during such collapsing or givingin of thc'wall, that a part of the air interiorly of the hollow ball 5, will be expelled through the 'opening in the wall of the hollow ball 5. y lf the blow receiving part 6, as described, is then placed over and closes the opening, while the pressure on the wall ofthe hollowball 5 is maintained it is evident that the blow receiving part 6 w-illbe heldto and `over the opening and be retained on thehollow ball 5 by the force 4of .the pressure which will be established by eo i ian

the air exteriorly of the hollow ball 5 acting on the blow receivii'igpart 6. Thus a suction method, instead y of an adhesive method already described but statedras not being limited thereto, for securing the blow receiving part 6 to the surface ofthe hollow ball 5 is supplied without. any change in the construction of the part-s used as'here tofore described. v v

- If desired in the way of practice, a hollow ball with an opening covered bythe blow receiving parts G may have other blow receiving parts 6 secured to its surface at points where no opening is provided inthe surface as shown in the` drawing.y This would be desirable where a number of clubs, with a different form of pin on each club, is intended to be used.'

Having described the invention in language intended to be illustrative .and not limiting, mention ismadeof the f act that, modincation may be made in the form, design, construction, connections or vin .other particulars concerning the parts shown yand described without departingfrom the spirit and sco-pe of the invention as set forthin the following claim-s.V .c

lVhat I claim as new 4and cureby Letters Patent, is-

l. In a golf'prac'tice ball, in combination, .a ball, a hollow removed section ofthe structure "of the ball extending inwardly of the `desire to seball andincluding a portion of the surface.

ofV the ball,l a perforable sheet member bric ging and overlapping the 4said hollow and a' means holding ythe said perforable sheet member to the ball. c

2. In a golf practice ball, in combination, a *substantially hollow ball, an 'opening formed through the. wall thereof affording a free communication between the interior hollow of the ball and the free space exteriorlyof the ball and a` perforable 'sheet member bridging the-said opening and sevcnred to the surface of the ball.v

lna golf practice ball, in combination, a' ball, a hollow 4formed interiorly of the ball, an opening in the surface of the ball connecting with the said interior hollow, a perforable sheet member bridging the said opening and secured by one ,face to the ball and impressed figures on the opposite face of the said perforable sheet member constituting a target thereon- 4. Ina golf practice ball, incombination, a substantially'hollow ballthe Wall of which possesses a resilient quality, an opening `in the surface of the ball extending through the 'said wall and connecting with the interior hollow, through which opening the air interiorly of the ball is 'expelledV by external pressure on the said resilient wall, anda perforable sheet member bridging the said opening and held on the ball by the air attempting to enter the said opening upon lthe cessation of the said external pressure on 'the said resilient wall of the ball.

5. In a golf practice ball, incombination,

a substantially hollow'lall the wall of which possesses aresilient quality, an opening in the surface of the ball extending through the said wall and connecting with the interior hollow, ythrough which 'opening thel air inl teri'orly of the ball'is expelled by external pressure onv the said resilient wall, a perforable sheet member bridging the said opening and held with one face against the ball by the air attempting to enter the said opening upon the cessation Iof rthe said external pressure and impressions formed on the opposite free face o f the said perforable 'sheet mein= bei' constituting ar target thereon. l "6. Ina golf practice ball, incombination, a ball,- 'ia hollow formed interiorly' of 'the'balh anopening in thesurface of ball connecting with the said interior hollow and' a perfol rable sheet member bridging and overlapping the said opening and'sec'ured tothe ball by an adhesive, i

- 7. In a golf practice ball,v in combination, a ball, ajperforable membery of ,-a'lsubstanofV a substantially uniform Athickness bridgT ing and overlapping the said opening and sfeciiied to the ball.

9. [In fagolfl practice ball, yin combination, a ball, Ia hollow formed interiorly of the ball, .an opening in the vsurface of the ball connecting ,with the said interior hollow, a concavolconvexr shaped perforable member of a 4substz'rntially uniform 'thickness bridging `and overlapping, byiits concave face, the said iopeningand secured to the ball by 1' the, 'overlapping part ofl its concave face and impressions formed on its convex face constituting a target thereon.

i In a golf practice ball, in combination, ball, ahollow rformed interior-ly ofthe ball, anbpening in thefsurface of theball connecting withl the said4 interior hollow,.a perforable sheet member ofl a concavo-conv ex shape bridging and overlapping, vwith its concave face, the said opening, an adhe; sive securing the said loverlapping' parts to the surface of the ball and an impression of uniform outline formed on' the convex face of the said perforable sheet member centrally thereof with an interruption in the said uniformity of outline at one lpoint thereon. Y

11. In a golf practice ball, for receiving a puncturing nin carriedon the hitting face of the club striking the ball, in combination, a ball, a puncturable sheet member covering al portion of the surface of the ball and secured by one of its faces to the ball, and impressions formed on the opposite free face thereof constituting a target thereon.

12. In a golf practice ball for receiving a puncturing pin carried on the striking face of the club hitting the ball, in combination, a ball, a puncturable sheet member covering a portion of the surface of the ball, an adhesive securing the said puncturable sheet member by one of its faces to the ball and an impression of regular outline formed centrally on the opposite free face with an interruption in the said regularity of outline at one point thereof.

13. In a golf practice ball for receiving a puncturing pin carried on the striking face of the club hitting the ball, in combination, a hollow ball, a puncturable sheet member, covering a portion of the surface of the ball and secured by .one of its faces thereto and impressions formed on the opposite free face thereof constituting a tar get thereon. Y

14. In a golf practice ball for receiving a puncturing pin carried on the hitting face of the club striking the ball, in combination, a hollow ball, a puncturable sheet member covering a portion of the surface of the ball, an adhesive securing the said puncturable sheet member by one of its faces to the ball and an impression of regular outline formed centrally of the opposite free face thereof with an interruption in the said regularity of outline at one point thereon. l

15. An article of manufacture, in combination, a sheet of perforable material, adapted to cover a portion of the surface of a practice golf ball, an adhesiveapplied to one face thereof for securing the said `sheet to the ball and an impression of a regular outline formed centrally of the opposite face thereof with an interruption in the said regularity of outline at one point thereon.

16. An article of manufacture, in combination, a concavo-convex Shaped perforable member of a substantially uniform thickness, adapted to contact with and cover by its concave face a portion of the surface of a practice golf ball and impressions formed on the convex face thereof constituting a target thereon.

17. An article of manufacture, in combination, a concavo-convex shaped perforable member of a substantially uniform4 thickness, adapted to contact with and cover, by its concave face, a portion of the surface of a practice golf ball, an adhesive provided on the said concave face, adapted to secure the same to a ball, and impressions formed on the convex face constituting a target thereon.

18. An article of manufacture, in combination, a concavo-convex shaped perforable member of a substantially uniform thickness, adapted to contact with and cover, by its concave face, a portion of the surface of a practice golf ball, an adhesive provided on the said concave face, adapted to secure the same to a ball, and an impression of a regular outline formed centrally of the convex face With an interruption in the said regularity of said outline at one point thereon. v

19. In a golf practice ball, in combination, a substantially hollou7 `ball the wall of which possesses a resilient quality, an opening in the suface of the ball extending through the said wall and connecting with the interior hollow, through which opening the air interiorly of the ball is expelled by external pressure on the said resilient wall, a concavo-convex` shaped perforable member bridging and overlapping the said opening and held on the ball by the air attempting to enter the said opening upon the cessation of the said external pressure on the said resilient wall of the ball.

20. In a golf practice ball, in combination, a substantially hollow ball the wall of whichpossesses a resilient quality, an opening in the surface of the ball extending through the said wall and connecting with the interior hollow, through which opening the air interiorly of the ball is expelled by external pressure on the said resilient wall, a concavo-convex shaped perforable member bridging and overlapping the said opening and held, by the concave face, to the ball by the air attempting to enter the said opening upon the cessation of the said external pressure upon the said resilient wall of the ball andY impressions formed on the convex face of the said perforable member constituting ka target thereon.

December 22nd, 1923.

WILLIAM J. GOLDSWORTIIY. 

